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Krauss' power makes him intriguing

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By Brian McTaggart
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MLB.com |

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Marc Krauss connected on his first homer of the spring in Friday's loss to the Braves, showing the kind of raw power that intrigued the Astros enough that they traded for him last July. Krauss was acquired from the D-backs with Bobby Borchering in exchange for Chris Johnson, who's since moved on to the Braves.

Krauss, an imposing 6-foot-2, 234-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, made a terrific first impression on the organization when he hit .414 with five homers and 16 RBIs in only seven games at Double-A Corpus Christi. That earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the final 22 games.

"That was a fun week, definitely," Krauss said. "It was one of those weeks when everything kind of clicks and everything goes right, and it happened to be that first week coming over with the new organization. Obviously, I just want to try to continue that and try to do as much as possible."

Krauss, 25, is likely to begin the season in the outfield back in Oklahoma City, and like many of the players in camp this year with the Astros, he's thankful for the opportunity to be with a new team. He was drafted by Arizona in the second round in 2009 out of Ohio University.

"It's refreshing," he said. "It's like a new chapter. It's exciting, because you can -- not reinvent yourself -- but start over with new eyes and a new management and new teammates. It's fun, and it adds a little excitement to the whole process. It's been good."

Krauss hasn't played first base full-time since his freshman year in college, but he says he's as comfortable there as he is at the corner outfield spots.

"I'm trying to broaden my horizons and give myself the best chance to play and help the team out the best way I can," he said.